Brazil Presidential Election, Early Vote Count Shows Bolsonaro Leading Against Expectations of 'Lula Favorite'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy International Desk] In the Brazilian presidential election held on the 2nd (local time), a close race continues between President Jair Bolsonaro and former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva in the early stages of vote counting.

According to the Brazilian Electoral Court's election statistics system, the vote counting, which began immediately after the electronic voting ended (5 PM Bras?lia time), was 35.51% complete as of 7:18 PM. President Bolsonaro recorded 47.34% of the votes, maintaining a lead over the leading candidate, former President Lula, who had 43.86% throughout the counting process.

Although it is still early in the counting, President Bolsonaro's performance is considered unexpected locally, as he had not been able to surpass former President Lula in various election-related polls for over a year. In this first round of voting, if no candidate obtains a majority of valid votes in Brazil, a runoff election between the top two candidates will be held on the 30th.

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